Salary floor could fuel eventual Carson Palmer power play

With the CBA coming into focus, it’s time to start thinking about the issues that will arise on the other side of a new labor deal.

One such issue could arise in Cincinnati, where quarterback Carson Palmer wants out and owner Mike Brown definitely won’t trade or release the first overall pick in the 2003 draft.

A reader has asked whether, in light of the return of the salary cap, Palmer can show up and force the team to account for his $11.5 million salary in 2011. If the money would put the Bengals over the limit, they’d either have to clear space — or they’d have to cut him loose.

Don’t count on that happening this year. The increased spending requirement won’t require teams to spend the money now. The Bengals can hold that cap space deep into the regular season, eventually using it to extend the contracts of players already on the team. And as long as they’re holding at least $11.5 million (or whatever the prorated amount would be after regular-season games have been played), the Bengals will be prepared to block a Carson Palmer power play.

Come 2012, things could be very different. If at any point in the offseason or the preseason the Bengals have fewer than $11.5 million in cap room, Palmer can unretire and force the Bengals to let him go.

And it could very well be that this is what happens: Palmer takes a year off, and then works his way out of Cincinnati in 2012.

Either way, don’t count on the Bengals putting themselves in position to have to cut Palmer in 2011 based on the addition of his salary to their official salary-cap amounts.

Mike brown is a stubborn bugger when it comes to this stuff. He would rather let Carson rot in retirement then allow him out of his contract. He has done it before.

The Bengals were offerred 2 number 1 picks by washington for Ochostinko and turned it down on this principal.

Brown will stand fast on this even if it hurts the Bengals.

twitter:Chapman_Jamie says:Jul 15, 2011 9:20 AM

Are the Bengals this stupid? I understand wanted to be principled and all that but there a few teams that really need a QB. Why not try to get some value out of Palmer? I understand pride and all but the Bengals pride may prove to be the dumbest thing since Vinny Cerato.

jw731 says:Jul 15, 2011 9:22 AM

Also don’t count on the Bengals doing anything but being the Bengals with the same HC and the same owner……

Mike Brown would cut several players to clear space just to stick it to Palmer.

superbengalfan says:Jul 15, 2011 9:26 AM

You’ve made this point before, but it is worth repeating. I just like the fact that Mike Brown will actually be forced to spend money. He didn’t like the last CBA from the beginning so it’s complete poetic justice that the new deal will make him spend and not play accounting games with “dead money” counting against the cap all the time.

How bad does it have to be when a guy who still wants to play football is willing to walk away from the game altogether AND leave $11.5m for a year’s worth of work because his only option is to play for one specific team that he hates?

Yes I know Mike Brown and the Bengals well. Believe me they have always been that stupid.
Winning is not their main goal and never has been. As long as people are coming and he is making a profit he is happy.

What’s to stop Palmer from simply showing up, playing like a 99cent only player and collecting near 12 million? He’s already filthy rich, so he’s not worried about the rest of his career. Can’t hardly blame the guy for not wanting to play for the Bungles.

Kaz says:Jul 15, 2011 9:43 AM

Is anyone really still thinking about Carson Palmer. He’s done. Caput. Retired. Get over it. If anything Carson should be alarmed at the lack of people who even care. Teams have an unknown Kolb ranked hire than him. Teams would rather have Kyle Orton. Carson played his card and should be alarmed at the lack of interest in him, or respect for his abilities.

If he was smart, he’d beg the Bengals to take him back so that he can repare his legacy, and gain some respect around the league. It’s too late however. The Bengals are the ones who look like fools for treating him (and paying him) like a Franchise QB, when no one else around the league has him on their radar. Well the Dolphins maybe, where they see him being worth a 4th round pick, probably to back up Henne.

hail2tharedskins says:Jul 15, 2011 9:48 AM

Now that this is already out there, I would expect Brown to push for the new CBA to include language that would prevent any player from being able to force a trade by retiring. Maybe retired players contracts still count against the cap regardless of whether they play or not? Personally, I think Carson my just be over playing football and ready to move on with his life. I don’t think he is scheming for a trade, but because of this situation, I expect it to be addressed to prevent other players from trying it in the future.

It’s too bad the NFL or fans can’t somehow vote to remove Mike Brown from owning a team. It’s a crime to charge fans money to come to games and root for their team to win when wining isn’t at the top of his agenda. As a fan myself, this is sickening.

realitypolice says:Jul 15, 2011 10:12 AM

Kaz says:
Jul 15, 2011 9:43 AM
Is anyone really still thinking about Carson Palmer. He’s done. Caput. Retired. Get over it. If anything Carson should be alarmed at the lack of people who even care. Teams have an unknown Kolb ranked hire than him.
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The only reason anyone has Kevin Kolb ranked higher than Carson Palmer is Mike Brown.

Be pretty stupid to prioritize someone whose owner has stated again and again is not available over someone whose organization has openly stated is available for trade.

He’s not that dumb, he’s trying to keep value in Carson Palmer should he decide to trade him. Now granted it was dumb not to accept the Skins offer of 2 first rounders for Chad Johnson. If he comes out and says he wants to trade him then the Bungles lose value. If someone offers a 2nd rounder i bet they’d take it.

dickroy says:Jul 15, 2011 10:15 AM

Carson could have had a Hall of Fame career. He could have been mentioned with the likes of Manning and Brady. To bad when the Bengals drafted him he was sure to be wasted. No one should blame any player for wanting out of Cincinnati!

In the Dayton/Cincy area, it is amazing how many people are either Steelers, Colts or Browns fans.

enders9 says:Jul 15, 2011 10:21 AM

fcs34 says: Jul 15, 2011 9:56 AM

The Bengals: Making the Lions look good for 30 years.

—————————————-

The last time the Lions had a .500 season was 10 years ago. No one makes that team look good, not even the Bengals.

gregjennings85 says:Jul 15, 2011 10:22 AM

I know very little of this situation. That being said, they should trade Palmer to the highest bidder and better their football team.

Simple.

enders9 says:Jul 15, 2011 10:24 AM

realitypolice says: Jul 15, 2011 10:12 AM

Kaz says:
Jul 15, 2011 9:43 AM
Is anyone really still thinking about Carson Palmer. He’s done. Caput. Retired. Get over it. If anything Carson should be alarmed at the lack of people who even care. Teams have an unknown Kolb ranked hire than him.
=====================

The only reason anyone has Kevin Kolb ranked higher than Carson Palmer is Mike Brown.

Be pretty stupid to prioritize someone whose owner has stated again and again is not available over someone whose organization has openly stated is available for trade.

===========================

Carson is old, injury prone, and terrible. He’d be below Kolb whether Carson was available or not.

You pretty much summed it up with the first half of your final sentence:

“Either way, don’t count on the Bengals …”

berniemadoffsides says:Jul 15, 2011 10:29 AM

God, I’m a Giants fan and I feel bad for you Bengals fans. I mean that with all sincerity. The Mara family loves their players and team, so I’ve always been lucky in that regard.

If Mike Brown REALLY refuses to trade Carson, he’s out of his mind. Why not get at least a 2nd rounder out of him? Maybe even a 1st, if you trade with the right team… unbelievable. There are plenty of teams that would love to have him – what’s the sense of keeping him around?

I feel like the Bengals have a lot of talent on that roster, too, which just makes it more aggravating. I guess it’s the same deal with the Raiders – you need your owner to drop dead in order to succeed.

sfsaintsfan says:Jul 15, 2011 10:48 AM

I understand the fact that Carson Palmer wants out of Cincinnati and Mike Brown does not want to “let” him leave. He is under contract and counts as $11.5 million against the cap for 2011.

How much of this is “new” money, that would be money the Bengals would have to pay him this year?

I understand that Carson has saved his money and is well off financially, but why not show up the day before the first game and “slip” in the training room and suffer a hard to diagnose back strain. Collect his money, ride a stationary bike and play for somebody else next year.

realitypolice says:Jul 15, 2011 11:01 AM

enders9 says:

Carson is old, injury prone, and terrible. He’d be below Kolb whether Carson was available or not.
====================

And Kolb is a mediocre prospect with bad stats who was drafted in the second round to be the Eagles QB of the future yet is being dumped despite the team having no viable back up to a QB who has some injury history himself.

Mike Brown needs to think about why he continually has players that want out…………instead of worrying about not letting players leave.

The facilities are a joke – they are the laughingstock of the league – even when they are moderately successful. Loved that Boomer Esiason agreed with them being the worst franchise.

Mike – instead of worrying about sending the wrong message by allowing Carson to leave………worry about continuing to send the same crappy message you have always sent, “I am cheap, and I am not committed to building a winner”.

stevincinci says:Jul 15, 2011 11:23 AM

Screw Carson Palmer’s low life ass.

TurdSandwich says:Jul 15, 2011 11:25 AM

Mike Brown is a turd, but he is doing fans of The Bengals and other teams a favor by not allowing this quitter to set a precidence for players to just decide one day they want a change of scenery.. This last second move by Carson is some weak sauce that put this team in an incredible bind.

I was thinking the same thing, but even if they keep the cap room open for the possibility, if he shows up right before week 1 and forces them to guarantee his salary knowing all he is going to do is throw 30 picks if they play him, even stubborn, silly old Mike would have a hard time kicking out the cash.

It is one thing to keep a guy around against his will when he is a bargain, but when you spend 12m, you are going to want to get what you pay for. They may be able to keep Carson in bungle stripes, but they can not force him to play well, or give a crape.

All he has to do is follow the Brett Favre playbook.

goforthanddie says:Jul 15, 2011 12:41 PM

TurdSandwich says: This last second move by Carson is some weak sauce that put this team in an incredible bind.

“Last second move”? You been unconscious or traveling the galaxy the last few months?

enders9 says:Jul 15, 2011 12:57 PM

realitypolice says: Jul 15, 2011 11:01 AM

enders9 says:

Carson is old, injury prone, and terrible. He’d be below Kolb whether Carson was available or not.
====================

And Kolb is a mediocre prospect with bad stats who was drafted in the second round to be the Eagles QB of the future yet is being dumped despite the team having no viable back up to a QB who has some injury history himself.

============================

Palmer’s stats are just as bad as Kolbs. I’m not saying Kolb is better than Palmer. But at least Kolb is still young and can improve.

Kolb has barely even been given a chance to show what he can do. Palmer has been starting for years and has had one awesome season (2005) and one good season (2006), but every other season he has been garbage (04, 07, 08, 09, 10). Not to mention the guy just looks flat out scared any time a defense starts putting pressure on him, it’s embarrassing to watch.

Ultimately I think Mikey will trade Palmer, he just isn’t going to show his hand. The main issue is do you trade a guy for compensation for next year or for both this and next year.

Mikey doesn’t want to see Carson help a team this year without the trade somehow helping the Bengals also. So, unless there is a player from another team involved, he might wait until later in the year.

For me, I want to see the Bengals get something for him.

jhoerst says:Jul 15, 2011 3:40 PM

I live in cincy and am a lifelong bengals fan, but cannot stand mike brown.. that being said. I agree with not letting Palmer have his way.. we’ve all seen the stories about players complaining about the bengals front office.. if they let palmer get his way that just opens the door for all the other unhappy players to request out of cincy.. its sad that it comes to that.. if this were any other team but cincy, i would say get what you can out of him.. but sadly, i think in cincy it will only lead to other problems with other players… I dream of the day that Mike Brown isn’t the owner of the bengals.. it might be wishful thinking but i’ve heard his daughter (next in line for ownership) wants a GM and get the team in the right direction.. a man can only hope i guess.. WHO DEY

I don’t think a lot of people took Palmer seriously when he said a few months ago that he was going to retire. This can be viewed two ways – either he is trying to get Cincy to trade him or, as he said, he is financially secure and is just going to walk away from the game.
IOW – if Cincy doesn’t trade him that’s fine – he just quits. Another of the reasons he is ready to call it quits has to be the simple fact that Cincy is the worst organization in pro sports, as made official by the poll a few weeks back. Cincy is #122 – last. The Packers – Super Bowl Champs – are #1.

If you don’t need the money, which he said he doesn’t, if you are banged up, which he is after playing behind that offensive line for 8 years, and if you don’t have the fire in your belly, which he certainly doesn’t seem to have – why stick around?

M.Brown will never let a player get the upper hand on him as long as HE is still in the big chair. Their are no players on the Bengals team with any value other then Carson Palmer. Brown needs to suck it up and trade him to SAN FRAN or SEAHAWKS. in Browns eye’s if i do this all the players will wont out. Im a Bengals fan for 30 years and i wont out. Let these players go and get some new ones in here and try and start over…..and by bring Marvin back was not a start.

It is amazing how the bungles go from winning the AFC North in 2009 to a basement dweller with the brownies. The bungles went from 10-6 to 4-12 in one short season despite their acquisitions during the 2009/10 off-season. Mike Brown keep on going with your badself!!

For all of you Poor Carson folks, he made the same agreement we did with our bosses. Accept money for work. The only difference is Carson agreed to take money and work for a specific amount of time. Just like you and I, his boss is free to terminate his contract. Also, just like you and I, Carson is free to basically quit. There are no bad guys in this one. Brown has the right to accept Carson’s resignation. Carson has the right to quit and accept the fact that he signed his (playing) rights over to his previous owner. His only recourse at this point is either recant the trade demand and come in and play or enjoy his time off.